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time of day and available natural light. This technology is especially useful when installed on outdoor lights, but also can produce significant savings in clubhouses and common hallways.

Reducing Energy Wastage
In addition to using equipment that uses less energy, associations can go green by reducing energy loss/waste. Communities can reduce energy loss by increasing building insulation, sealing air leaks and weatherproofing windows. Although they can’t make these changes within individual units, associations can use these methods for making their clubhouses and other common areas green. Properly insulating attics and wall spaces can reduce the amount of heat escaping from the building and save significantly on heating and cooling costs. Sealing air leaks means filling in the gaps around windows, doors and air ducts so heat cannot escape in cold months and cool air is not lost in summer months. Sealing air leaks will reduce drafts, make the building more comfortable for the occupants and can result in energy savings of 5 to 30 percent per year. Windows are one of the largest sources of heat loss because of their low insulating ability and high air leakage rates. Likewise, in summer, windows are a major source of unwanted solar heat gain. In some cases, windows are responsible for up to 50 percent of the property’s heating and cooling energy costs. An association can retrofit single-glazed for doubleglazed low E windows, which can cut heat loss and gain in half. Another option is to invest in window treatments, such as blinds, shades and curtains. These block sunlight, reducing the need for air conditioning in the summer, and serve as added insulation against outside temperatures in winter.

geothermal heat pumps or wind turbines. Federal, state and local rebates have made renewable energy sources a viable option with reasonable payback periods. Photo voltaic has become especially practical as there are opportunities to lease solar panels rather than purchasing this expensive equipment outright. Going green is often viewed as an idealistic and expensive endeavor. However, these cost effective methods of reducing your carbon footprint illustrate how easy and inexpensive going

green can be. To top it off, going green can drastically decrease an association’s annual expenditures, often saving thousands of dollars over the life of the energy efficient equipment. CM Allan Samuels, LEED AP, is the managing partner of Energy Squared LLC. With 27 years of experience in the sustainable engineering field, he is a Leader in Environmental and Energy Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Renewable Energy
Lastly, community associations can go green by investing in a renewable energy source, such as solar paneling,

CONDO MEDIA • JUNE 2010

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Condo Media - June 2010

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